French becoming more effective in stopping small boat crossings, UK says
The UK Home Office reports that new tactical cooperation with French authorities has increased the interception rate of migrant small boats in the English Channel. While the government credits the deal for a 61% interception rate, opposition figures argue that overall crossing prevention numbers remain insufficient.
Why it matters
The management of illegal migration via the English Channel remains a highly contentious political issue in the UK, impacting bilateral relations with France and domestic border security policy.
Figure caption, French police slash migrant small boat
News correspondent Published 7 minutes ago French police tactics are becoming more effective in stopping small boats in the English Channel from reaching Britain, the Home Office has said.
It credits French authorities with intercepting 185 potential crossings involving 4,300 migrants this summer over four separate weeks, as well as stopping 12 boats at sea using new techniques.
Footage released by French police shows officers racing across a beach in jeeps to intercept a launch. Once the boat is abandoned, an officer slashes it lengthways with a knife.
The Conservatives described the announcement as a "joke" and said Channel crossing preventions were "down by half over the past year".
Migrants can be seen throwing objects at the officers, one of whom appears to respond with pepper spray.
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